You’ve just wrapped up the last treatment in your full mouth reconstruction plan. So that means you and your new smile are ready to take the world by storm, right?
Not exactly.
Full mouth reconstructions are comprehensive treatments, and depending on your unique plan, you could have to do quite a bit of resting and relaxing (among other things!). Diving into your favorite foods too soon could cause some unpleasant complications for your oral health. With that in mind, here’s how you can promote a smooth recovery.
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Follow Your Specific Hygiene Instructions
Proper dental hygiene is the best way to prevent infection, gum disease, tooth decay, and other harmful conditions. While no two patients will have exactly the same treatment plans, every procedure that can be included in a full mouth reconstruction should be followed with twice daily brushing and once daily flossing. Depending on which restorations you get, your prosthodontist may have more specific hygiene instructions for you, and it’s in your best interest to carry them out!
Modify Your Diet – Temporarily
Your gums and teeth are likely to be sore after your full mouth reconstruction, and could very well still be in the process of repairing damaged tissue. Overly hard, crunchy, tough, sticky, and chewy foods can interfere with the healing process, so your prosthodontist might tell you to modify your diet. Fortunately, your treatment is meant to restore and support your overall oral function, not impair it, and you’ll only need to avoid these types of meals temporarily.
Get Plenty of Rest!
Seriously! It’s not lazy to relax with a good book or your favorite TV show when you’re recovering from full mouth reconstruction. Getting plenty of rest is an important part of the healing process, and without it, your body won’t have time to repair itself. Don’t participate in strenuous activities unless otherwise noted by your prosthodontist, and if you need some work done around the house, ask a trusted friend or family member to assist you.
Address Discomfort
You know what it can make it difficult to truly feel at ease? Oral pain. As mentioned earlier, you’ll likely experience some soreness after your treatment. It might be tempting to “tough it out” or think of the discomfort as “not a big deal,” but if your body is busy sending pain signals to your brain, it can’t spend as much time actually healing and revitalizing your cells. So take ibuprofen or another pain reliever as necessary, and remember that a cold compress can help numb tender areas.
When in Doubt, Call Your Prosthodontist
If something doesn’t seem quite right, or if unpleasant symptoms are severe, don’t hesitate to contact your prosthodontist. While rare, it is possible to experience complications even when you’re following all of your aftercare instructions. Calling your prosthodontist sooner rather than later enables them to address the problem before it becomes worse.
Additionally, this is still a time worth celebrating. You’re almost at the end of the finish line, after all, so be proud of yourself and know that you’ll be enjoying your fully restored smile before you know it!
About the Author
Dr. Salari is a highly accomplished prosthodontist, and is well-known for her incredible talent. She has advanced training in full mouth reconstructions; in fact, Dr. Salari is considered an expert, and many dentists visit her office to learn from her work. If you’re interested in this comprehensive treatment or have questions about the recovery process, please contact Dr. Salari’s office by calling 703-763-0800.